Elite Fla. fundraiser stands by Perry

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In a spartan, contemporary downtown office with black leather chairs and glistening metal and glass tables, A.K. Desai waxed on about the entrepreneurship of Henry Ford, the latest academic book he’s reading on health care reform and where engineering fits in the future of Florida’s higher-education system.

And you wonder: How does an erudite millionaire like Desai become so infatuated with a swaggering and sometimes tongue-tied Texan like Rick Perry?

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Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, whom Desai backed four years ago, came to St. Petersburg this year to court Desai for his Republican presidential campaign. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, while he was mulling over a run, also met with Desai, 53.

In the end, the health care executive who has made millions as a Medicare provider went with the Texas governor, who has argued that Medicare is unconstitutional and should be dismantled.

“I just felt Gov. Perry would be best right now when it comes to creating jobs,” Desai said. “With over 16 percent underemployment and unemployment, somebody who would create jobs is what this country needs.”

Florida has dozens of Republican fundraisers who bundle individual contributions to raise tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for candidates, and this year most are helping Romney. As one of the first — and relatively few — elite Florida fundraisers to embrace Perry, Desai’s political profile has risen considerably.

“I got to know Dr. Desai through the Republican Governors Association and quickly found him to be a smart, impressive health policy expert,” Perry said in an email. “A.K. Desai is an important part of our Florida team, providing strong support, networking and expertise to our operation.”

The early Perry enthusiasm has faded fast, however. Having raised about $17 million, Perry remains a serious contender, but after shaky debate performances, he has dropped in recent national polls behind Romney and businessman Herman Cain.

“There’s no buyer’s remorse,” said Desai, who remains optimistic about Perry’s chances and continues to work his contacts on Perry’s behalf. On Oct. 26, he is helping host a $1,000-per-person breakfast fundraiser for Perry.

“You cannot predict who will win,” Desai said, “but you support a candidate who is going to provide good governance, and this country absolutely needs that to reclaim all the glories we had going for this great nation.”